Sicilian Eggplant Salad (Vegan)

Sicilian Eggplant Salad is a melange of summer vegetables in a sweet-tart sauce perfumed with allspice and a hint of curry. Salad do Sicily, as she called it, comes from my grandmother’s sister Violet who lived on the lower east side of Manhattan. Every summer, my grandmother Nina would fly East to spend a few months with her. I was lucky enough to join her for a few weeks.

Aunt Violet was remarkably sharp, but retained a vibrant sense of humor. Her memory was like that of no one I’ve ever known and her analysis of relationships, politics and Nature was phenomenal.

She kept a pristine apartment with a touch of the Orient. She put her heart into decorating, saying that one’s home should smile in one’s presence.

Every time Nina Mama and I stayed with her, Aunt Violet would get us a new pair of embroidered Chinese house slippers. This little tradition gave us such a warm welcome.

We had a whole routine, starting with a breakfast of freshly brewed tea, feta and fresh bread on the terrace. Then, we would hit the streets. Favorite stops were boutiques on Madison Ave, the old German butcher shop Schaller & Weber (best salami), lunch at Afghan Kebab House #2, antique shopping in Harlem, coffee and cannoli in Little Italy. Lexington Ave is still one of my very favorites in the City, especially the little grocers that have the fresh produce and flowers on display on the sidewalk. Afternoons, we returned for a nap, then Armenian coffee on the terrace, followed by a much-anticipated fortune reading by Aunt Violet.

Like my grandmother, Aunt Violet was a fabulous cook (and a textbook genius). One of her legendary specialties was what she called “Salad do Sicily” the recipe for which likely came from an Italian neighbor. Eggplants steal the spotlight in this mouthwatering mix of carrots, celery, bell peppers slow-cooked in a curried tomato sauce. If you can wash, chop and toss vegetables into a big pot, you can recreate this delightful vegan dish in your very own kitchen. Anyone can do it and everyone should.

It may sound ridiculous, but I loved waking up to the beep-beep of the garbage truck and the humming of the city bus, sounds of the Big Apple. When I miss her, I make a big pot of her Sicilian Salad and remember those lovely chats on Aunt Violet’s terrace.

Dear Colette, I hope you and your family are spending a wonderful Easter weekend! It looks like you have been enjoying delicious foods (all those great pics on facebook attest to that fact).
This fabulous sounding salad and the wonderful memories that go with it are a delight to read and look at – another fabulous blog post, my dear friend!
All the very best & continue to stay safe and happy!
Andrea xo

Hello, my sweet friend!
I hope your Easter was lovely and that you are all keeping safe and sane.

Your Cottage Cookbook inspired me to get this recipe from my mom. Hope you try and enjoy it. Food connects us despite the miles that separate us. One day, we’ll sit down to great food and chat together!
Love you!

Colette, I love what your Aunt Violet said about the home smiling in one’s presence. And of course this dish look/sounds fabulous. My cousin wrote me yesterday saying that Instacart send her a ton of eggplant that she hadn’t ordered and did I have a recipe. I’m sending her this link! I hope you and your family are staying well! xo Valentina

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Hi, I’m Coco!

Welcome to Coco in the Kitchen! I am a proud Wife and Mommy cooking up some delicious meals and treats for my family. Follow along and collect some great dishes inspired by my Armenian roots and chocolate cravings! Get to know me more...